What is Chiropractic and Can It Help You? Here are some excerpts from an interview with Dr. Jeff Sklar for Comcast's Health Channel

What is chiropractic medicine?

Chiropractic like most branches of health care is a Science, Art and Philosophy
The belief in which Chiropractic is founded is that we are all born with an innate intelligence that allows us to thrive in this world. If that internal wisdom or innate
is somehow obstructed or impeded, then the ability of the body to function at an optima level will be hindered. As chiropractors, we look for areas of the spine that our not positioned normally or stuck from normal motion. When we find these stuck vertebrae, which is called a subluxation, we different techniques to correct the problem. The correction itself is called an adjustment and is unique to chiropractic. Once the problem is corrected, many chiropractors will prescribe specific exercises to stabilize the area in hopes of complete recovery.

What are the most common complaints you address?
The most common conditions that my patients present with range from various types of headaches, vertigo, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet to neck and back pain.
Additionally, muscle pain ligament sprains, I also see commonly

What other kinds of problems can chiropractors treat?

That’s a great question. Certainly, conditions like carpal tunnel, muscle strains, hand pain, shoulder and leg pain are frequently seen in an office like mine. However, Although pain is usually what brings a patient in to see us, as they go through treatment they often begin to experience an overall sense of improved health. They may feel that their breathing is better or that they are not getting any more sinus or allergy attacks. They may feel more vitality.

Are certain problems more common in older adults?
Because the aging process involves years of fighting gravity, we all experience normal wear and tear. Older adults tend to have more arthritic changes occurring than my younger population. Bit just because someone experiences pain from arthritis does not mean they are forced to surrender to it.
Isaac Newton’s first law of physics generally states that objects in motion stay in motion. My point is that if you keep moving and get treatment to allow your muscle and joints to stay nimble and lose. If you focus breathing, water consumption and exercise. As a person aged they will have fewer challenges than an individual who is more sedentary and less health conscious. The more sedentary individual will most likely experience more health challenges and more pain and discomfort.

What can a patient generally expect on a first visit to a chiropractor?
On a patient’s first visit I like to take an extensive history. Very often my senior patients usually have their history already typed out which is a major time saver for everyone. I then perform an orthopedic and neurological exam, much like you would receive from either your primary doctor or an orthopedist.



What are the treatments used most often?
Depending on the conditions treatment protocols will vary. I have found that using modalities like heat, electric stim, ultrasound and soft tissue manipulation are very beneficial in the process of warming up a region that will be adjusted. Adjustments themselves can be administered directly with the physician’s hands as well as instruments and specially designed tables that facilitate the adjustment.
Are the treatments for older adults/seniors different than those you would use for younger people?
Some of the tables and instruments that I mentioned are sometimes ore suitable for older patients
Explain the various treatments we will shoot today.
Mim is going to received treatment for chronic back pain that consist of stretching on a mechanical table to improve the joint spaces between her vertebrae. She will also get her legs and arms stretched as well. What we are working to do is maintain her muscular elasticity and length as well as improve nerve flow and circulation throughout her spine and ultimately her whole body.

What are some of the myths and misconceptions about chiropractors?

People very often believe that once you see a chiropractor you have to keep going. The truth is that once a patient’s condition is resolved there is no need to continue to treat that ailment, but what patient’s often experience is an overall sense of wellness and other positive changes in their health from no longer getting headaches, improved breathing to increased vitality. Sometimes people will continue to take pills everyday to help alleviate the symptoms of any ailment from allergies to headaches to asthma.
Chiropractic patients that treat for these conditions don’t experience the negative side effects of medication, but rather enjoy the benefits of improve living. All though pain brings people into see me; my feeling is that it is always easier to stay well than to get better.
How should a person go about finding a qualified chiropractor?
Every state has a chiropractic association that could assist. But this day and age if you google doctors locally you can usually yield a lot of back ground information about the physician.; where they went to school, how long have they practiced etc…
Of course a personal referral still seems to be the best way to find someone that qualified.